June 10 1942 November 30 2021
Kirby Dennis June 10, 1942 – November 30, 2021 Share this obituary Sign Guestbook Kirby E. Dennis June 10, 1942 – November 30, 2021 Kirby Dennis was born on June 10, 1942, in Litchfield, Connecticut to Edward and HeleneDennis. He was the oldest of three children, with his brother, Donald, and sister, Lynn, coming along later. Kirby had a big personality from the very beginning. His mother described him as very mischievous and always up for a practical joke. He had a big laugh and a personality that lit up any room he was in. Kirby was a patriot from very early on in his life. While still in college, Kirby decided to join the Army in 1963, with Officer Candidate School to follow. In 1967, as a young husband, father, and soldier, Kirby began a tour of duty in the Vietnam War, valiantly leading young men in battle as a Platoon Leader with the rank of Lieutenant. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his great sacrifices while in the line of duty, including surviving aland mine and being shot during a battle in the Mekong Delta.After Vietnam, he served in Korea as a Company Commander with the rank of Captain. During his 21-year military career, he completed tours of duty all over the U.S., Vietnam, Korea, Germany, and lastly, at Fort Snelling in Minnesota. Kirby was Honorably Discharged from the Army in 1983, having risen to the rank of Major. Kirby married the love of his life, Helen (nick. Nell), on April 15, 1964, in an intimate ceremony in Fort Benning, Georgia. Over the next 12 years, Kirby and Helen had five children—Mary, Edward, Nell, Christina, and Kirby (nick. Bo)—all born in different states of the U.S. Helen was by Kirby’s side as they moved 13 times in 20 years so he could serve his country. 2021 was their 57th year of marriage. Kirby’s tour of duty in Heidelberg, Germany in the late 1970s was special for the whole family, sparking a lifelong love of travel. For example, Kirby and Helen would pile all 5 kids, a large German Shepard named Major, and Grandma Johnson (Kirby’s mother-in-law) into a baby blue Caprice Classic station wagon and take vacations in France, Italy, Austria, and all over Germany. Kirby used these 3 years in Germany to show his family Europe and to create many happy memories by bravely navigating tiny European streets and mountain passes in that giant American car. He had a big spirit of adventure, always finding the time and money to explore the places he was stationed with his family. After his retirement from the military, Helen and he put down roots in Burnsville, Minnesota and he had a 20-year career as a real estate agent. He helped countless families find homes where they could make and share memories as he had. During this period, he became a revered member of his church, Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church, his community, and his company, Edina Realty. Kirby and Helen traveled the country, and especially loved beach vacations with their family. Later in life, he joked that he was the “old man and the sea,” expressing his love of the ocean. All his life, Kirby loved sports. He adopted the Minnesota sports teams (Go Wolves! Go Twins!) with gusto. More than anything, Kirby loved to golf with family and friends. If you were lucky enough to watch sports or play golf with Kirby, you could hear how he wove words into the funniest expletives you have ever heard (son of a…). He was an artist with funny phrases to show his frustration, as well as his pleasure! Kirby is survived by wife of 57 years, Helen; daughters, Mary (Matthew) Barrett, Nell (Hermann) Kauls, and Christina (Donald) Selmer; sons, Edward Dennis and Kirby (Krista) Dennis; 12 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; sister, Lynn (Mark) Humboldt; and brother, Donald (Fran) Dennis; many other relatives and friends. Kirby touched so many people’s lives and will be very missed. SERVICES Mass of Christian Burial Friday, December 17, 2021 11:00 AM St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 4625 W. 125th St Savage, MN 55378 Get Directions on Google Maps Print Obituary Sign Guestbook Name: Location: Video: Image: Light A Candle Candle 1 Candle 2 Candle 3 Candle 4 Email: Please keep my message private Personal Message: Confirm: Submit Guestbook entry
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Kirby Dennis June 10 1942 November 30 2021.
Death notice for the town of: -, state: Minnesota